The Gunners currently lead second-placed Manchester City by one point, while Chelsea are also in close attendance after their 3-1 victory over Manchester United this afternoon.

"At the moment, we are showing that we are up there with them. Maybe at the start of the season nobody put us up as high as Manchester City or Chelsea, maybe because of the signings they made. But it is ultimately demonstrated on the pitch and, right now, Arsenal are above them and our objective is to keep fighting with them," PA quotes him as saying.

"[But yes] it is true, they are big favourites for the title as well. Every year the pressure has to be at the maximum. In the end, a team like Arsenal, that is striving for trophies, and has gone a fair few years without winning any, the aspirations we should have are to win as many trophies as possible and challenge the best teams.

"Right now, in the Premier League, we are top because, up until now, we have been the best team. In the Premier League it is about consistency, who has been the best throughout the season and, right now, we are at a very good level."

Arsenal's next Premier League match sees them face Southampton on January 28.